Pope to leave hospital on Saturday: Vatican
Pope Francis will be discharged on Saturday, April 1 from Rome’s hospital where he is being treated for bronchitis.
Matteo Bruni, the Vatican spokesperson, gave the update via a written statement on Friday, March 31.
Bruni stated that Francis would be present in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. This marks the beginning of Holy Week, and ushers in a series of solemn public ceremonies, culminating in Easter on April 9.
Francis, 86 was admitted to Gemelli Polyclinic on Wednesday, March 29. Doctors said that the pontiff receiving antibiotics intravenously to treat his bronchitis.
“Yesterday went well, with a normal clinical recovery,″ Bruni said. “In the evening (of Thursday), Pope Francis had dinner, eating a pizza, together with all those who are assisting him in these days of the hospital stay,” the spokesman said, including doctors, nurses, assistants, and Vatican security personnel.
On Friday morning, the pope read newspapers and resumed his work after breakfast.
The pontiff’s return to the Vatican hotel where he lives “is expected for tomorrow, as a result of the last tests of this morning,″ Bruni said.
The spokesman later added that, given the pope would return to the Vatican on Saturday, Francis was expected to be present in the square for Palm Sunday Mass.